South Pasadena resident Charles Beach Boothe code-named “Red Dragon,” in effect, was treasurer of a revolution raising over 9 million dollars for the cause. In 1910 he received official documents making him a secret agent to assist Dr. Sun Yat-sen in his efforts to overthrow the Qing Dynasty who reportedly spent several weeks at his residence in South Pasadena during this time. Boothe’s fellow American backers hoped to gain access to China’s many natural resources in return for their financial backing and political support.

President Sun Yat-sen played a vital role in the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty in 1911 and was briefly named the first president of the Republic of China. He continued to struggle against the warlords that controlled much of China.
Dr. Sun Yat-sen is known today as the “father of modern China” and revered by both mainland China and Taiwan. His enduring legacy is the Three Principles of the People – nationalism, democracy, and the people’s livelihood/welfare.
Throwback Thursday is written and produced by Rick Thomas